Microkeeper is an all-in-one cloud-based HR and payroll software designed to streamline and automate processes of employee management, roster making, time and attendance tracking, and payroll processing.

How can Microkeeper help my business with HR and payroll tasks?

Microkeeper helps businesses of all sizes by simplifying HR and payroll tasks. It automates time tracking, facilitates employee scheduling, manages leave requests, and integrates seamlessly with payroll systems, saving time and reducing errors in payroll processing.

Is Microkeeper suitable for businesses of all sizes?

Yes, Microkeeper is designed to cater to the needs of businesses of all sizes, including small, medium, and large enterprises across various industries. Whether you have a handful of employees or a large workforce, Microkeeper offers scalable solutions to meet your HR and payroll needs.

Can Microkeeper help ensure compliance with labor regulations?

Absolutely. Microkeeper is equipped with features to help businesses stay compliant with labor regulations. It automates calculations for overtime, penalty rates, and other entitlements, while also providing reporting tools to ensure transparency and compliance with labor laws.

How easy is it to integrate Microkeeper with existing payroll systems?

Integrating Microkeeper with existing payroll systems is straightforward. Our platform offers seamless integration with popular payroll software, allowing for smooth data transfer and synchronization. Our support team is available to assist with any setup or configuration requirements.

From STP Pay Event Changes to Payday Super

Payday Super is one of the most significant changes to superannuation in decades. Set to begin on 1 July 2026, it will require employers to pay superannuation contributions at the same time as wages rather than quarterly.

But this change didn't come out of nowhere. The foundations were laid back in 2020 with updates to Single Touch Payroll (STP), and consultation with the ATO and Treasury is still shaping what the final system will look like.

This blos explains what changes in STP, what's proposed under Payday Super, and what employers should do to prepare.

A quick refresher: What is STP?

Single Touch Payroll (STP) is Australia's system for reporting payroll information directly to the ATO. Every pay cycle, employers report:

Salaries and wages
PAYG withholding
Superannuation contributions

First introduced in 2018 for large businesses and mandatory for all employers by July 2019, STP was designed to:

Increase transparency between employers, employees, and the ATO
Reduce reporting burdens
Improve compliance with super and tax obligations

Every pay run is effectively a reporting run.

The STP Pay Event Changes in 2020 (Phase 2)

In 2020, the ATO announced STP Phase 2, with implementation beginning in January 2022. These changes expanded the pay event, the file employers submit every time they process payroll.

Key Pahse 2 changes included:

Disaggregation of gross income: breaking down wages into components such as overtime, allowances, and bonuses.
Income types: clearer classification of different income categories (e.g. salary and wages, closerly held payees, foreign employment income).
Child support deductions and garnishes: reported directly through STP instead of separate systems.
Tax treatment codes: explaining how each employee is taxed.
Country codes: required for foreign employment income.

The result was a much more detailed dataset. For the ATO, this provided greater visibility of payroll activity in near real-time. For employers, it meant more upfornt but fewer compliance surprises later.

Why this mattered for superannuation

The extra detail from STP Phase 2 wasn't just about tax. It gave the ATO the ability to:

Match reported wages with superannuation contributions
Detect unpaid or late super sooner
Identify compliance issues earlier

In other words, STP Phase 2 laid the groundwork for Payday Super.

Payday Super, what's changing

While Payday Super is not yet law, the government has announced reforms will begin on 1 July 2026.

Consultation continues with industry and stakeholders through the ATO's Payday Super Working Group, with separate technical groups focusing on SuperStream and STP updates.

Key proposed changes include:

Qualifiying earnings (QE): a new concept that will be the basis for calculating the SuperGuarantee (SG). Information on QE is published on the DSP Hub.
New STP reporting fields: from July 2026, employers will need to report both Qualifying Earnings (QE) and Super Liability amounts via STP.
Seven-day deadline: contributions must be received by an employee's super fund within 7 calendar days of any payment that includes ordinary time earnings (OTE).
Revised SG charge: The SG charge will be re-designed, including how late contributions are recognised and how employer behaviour (such as voluntary disclosure and rectification) is taken into account.
SuperStream updates. Standards will be revised to support New Payments Platform (NPP) transactions and improved for messaging so issues can be fixed faster.
Additional penalties: stronger penalties are expected for failing to pay SG charge debts raised by the ATO.
Choice of fund rules: employers may be able to show employees their existing stapled fund during onboarding, helping streamline setup.
Closure of the SBSCH: The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House will close for new users from 1 October 2025 and shut down completely on 1 July 2026. Existing users are encouraged to transition earlier.

Although consultation is ongoing, the intent is clear: super payment will need to move faster, reporting will need to be more detailed, and compliance will become more tighlty monitored.

ATO - Payday Super consultation updates

How STP Pay Events and Payday Super connect

Think of this as a two-step reform:

STP Phase 2 (2020): expanded what employers report every pay cycle.
Payday Super (2026): expands how qiuckly contributions must be paid, with STP reporting providing the compliance backbone.

By requiring employers to report Qualigying Earnings and Super Liability in STP, the ATO will be able to direclty cross-neck wages against super contributions in real time.

This creates a closed loop: what you report in payroll must align with what you pay into super, and it all happens on the same schedule.

What employers should do now

Review payroll systems: ensure your payroll software is STP Phase 2 compliant and will support QE and Super Liability reporting.
Plan cash flow: build frequent super payments into budgets now to avoid shocks later.
Clean employee data: make sure TFNs, super fund details, and contracted hours are correct, errors will matter more under Payday Super.
Move away from SBSCH: with SBSCH closing, transition to a future-proof option. Microkeeper includes an integrated clearing house via Beam at no additional cost.
Educate your team: payroll and finance staff need to understand the tighter deadlines and reporting requirements.

Final thoughts

The STP Pay Event changes of 2020 increased the detail of payroll reporting. The Payday Super reforms of 2026 will increase the speed and accuracy of super payments, introducing Qualifying Earnings, Super Liability reporting, and a redesigned SG charge.

Together, they form part of the ATO’s strategy to reduce unpaid super, improve compliance, and boost retirement outcomes for Australian employees.

Employers who act early, by preparing payroll systems, cleaning data, and adjusting cash flow, will be best positioned for a smooth transition.

Microkeeper + Beam provides the tools you need to stay compliant and confident as Payday Super becomes a reality.

‍

^{Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. For the latest updates, refer to the ATO or consult a qualified advisor.}